FIRE AT STAFFORD

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 May 1928, Page 7

FIRE AT STAFFORD

HOTEL DESTROYED BUCKET BRIGADE ACTIVE A fire, which broke out in the dining room of the Caledonian Hotel at Stafford about six o’clock last evening, resulted in the complete destruction of the structure, which was situated on the main road,' at the northern end of the one-time goldmining township. The building contained twelve rooms, and none of the contents was saved. The licensee, Mr Messervy, and his wife, were on the premises at. the time of the outbreak. The building was insured for .£350 in the Atlas Office. A heavy wind was blowing, but despite this, the efforts of a bucket, brigade succeeded in saving the adjacent. store of Mr Ben Lyons, and the old Bank of New Zealand building. TARANAKI TRAGEDY. MOTHER’S ABSENCE EXPLAINED. (Per Preßß Association.) HAWERA, May 29. Mrs Woller, the' Another of five of the children who perished last night, has been coining to Hawera periodically for a considerable time, for medical treatment. She has suffered from a nervous affection of the left arm. induced by milking in a dairy shed, helping her husband. It was owing to this trouble that a boy had to be employed to help on the farm. Generally, Mrs Woller brought only the baby with her, but this week she had also the next child, which needed treatment. But for that fact, 'the fire would have claimed another victim. ’ t Recently, the deceased, Woller, senior, had made a remarkable recovery from a serious illness and was just starting to make headway in milking a small herd for his brother. CAUSE OF FIRE UNSOLVED. HAWERA, May 26. There are no additional facts concerning the tragedy which overwhelmed the Woller family early yesterday morning in their lonely cottage at Ararata. The bodies of the victims were brought to town during the day, the funeral taking place this afternoon. The cause of the fire is unknown. It is difficult to explain the position of the father’s body in the kitchen, unless as suggested, he got up to make a cup of tea, as was his custom. The kitchen stove was encased in an iron chimney. This and the kerosene lamp seem the only* likely sources of the outbreak, but all is a matter of ‘conjecture. . PICTON SCHOOL DESTROYED. WELLINGTON, May 25. At an early Jiour this morning the Main State School at Picton was totall destryoed by fire, together with the contents. The building was erected fifty years ago, and comprised nine rooms. The school war memorial roll of honour of ex-pupils who served in the Great War was also lost. The detached infant school escaped Picton has been agitating for very many years for a new school, in view of the ages and unsuitability of the old structure. The fire is therefore regarded by residents as a timely if somewhat expensive, solution of a long standing trouble.